Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA

FleischmanGarcia was retained to design the Central City Family YMCA designed to meet the unique needs of the Tampa downtown area.

The 33,942 sq. ft. recreation building houses a gymnasium, aerobic area, gymnastics room, weight lifting area, locker and shower facilities, computer education classrooms, multi-purpose rooms, administrative offices and a well-baby clinic. This complex also includes a Junior Olympic swimming pool, a free-standing child care building, and a recreation building at the heart of the site. To meet the client's requirements and local and state codes, the decision was made to separate the child care facility from the recreation building, thus allowing on-site vehicular circulation and improving the safety and function of the site.

Because the structure was to be built in a neighborhood plagued by urban decay and transient living, it became apparent to the designers and the client that a well-designed and well-built structure could be the first step in urban renewal.